Salvation Army employees join CUPE

Workers at addictions centre vote for protection and better conditions

EDMONTON -- Fifty employees of the Salvation Army’s Addictions and Residential Centre voted today to join the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

CUPE Alberta President D’Arcy Lanovaz said the employees voted 64% to belong to Canada’s largest union after a short organizing campaign launched over workload concerns.

The employees include kitchen staff, accounting, addiction counsellors, support workers, a registered nurse, housekeeping, and other non-management staff.

“I am very happy to welcome these new members to our union,” said Lanovaz. “Like others in the social service sector – they now have some much needed backing in their fights for better working conditions, dignity, and better wages.”

In a break from our usual topics to show that CUPE is also organizing in other areas.